MUNCIE, Ind. — Despite arguments that the city has many other problems to be addressed first, Muncie City Council approved a $4.5-million backup loan for the Madjax makers hub.

Sweetening the deal for some proponents in Monday evening's council meeting was the suggestion that the center for artists and craftspeople could also help retrain the city's workers for industrial jobs. That job training element, introduced at city council's August meeting, brought endorsements not only from some in the crowd but some council members.

And it brought puzzlement from some in the crowd. Jane McDowell, a Muncie resident, agreed that vocational training was important but noted that Madjax, when it was opened in 2015, was supposed to be for artists and makers.

"Somehow that changed," McDowell said, adding, "I don't know when it became what it is. That (job training) seems like it would be under the aegis of Ivy Tech."

After more than 90 minutes of criticism and testimonials, the Madjax ordinance passed, with six Democratic Party council members who are usually in agreement with Mayor Dennis Tyler voting yes, independent Democrat Linda Gregory joining Republican Dan Ridenour in voting no and Republican Brad Polk absent.

Under the provisions of the ordinance, the city would use property tax revenue to back up the $4.5-million loan only if revenue to Madjax and its owner, Sustainable Muncie, failed and if two other sources of tax revenue, local economic development income tax (EDIT) and tax increment financing (TIF), failed.

Madjax has operated for two years in the former Cintas/Midwest Towel commercial laundry at Madison and Jackson streets, but city economic development officer Todd Donati said the $4.5 million was needed to pay $1.7 million in debt (originally intended to be covered by a 2016 loan by city council of $1 million) and complete more renovations to the 80,000-square-foot building to allow more tenants.

Ridenour and Gregory had expressed doubts that revenue, as projected in answer to their questions in August, would cover $400,000 in annual bond payments for the $4.5 million.

While the arts and makers element of the project has always had support, the argument that the project could help with job training was embraced by proponents. It was proposed in August and suggested again Monday evening with the possibility that a Purdue University school from Anderson might occupy several thousand feet in the building.

Proponents of fixing schools didn't say exactly how city funds would be used for schools other than suggesting that tax dollars that didn't go toward the project would be freed up for possible use by Muncie Community Schools.

Russell Kischuk cited a recent National Public Radio story about the opioid abuse crisis in Muncie. Private capital "won't touch" projects like Madjax, he added. "Four and a half million dollars is a lot of money," he said, and Marybeth Lambert called the amount "an extreme amount of money."

Gary Townsend of Townsend Corporation said he didn't support the Madjax proposal, adding, "I still don't understand why Ivy Tech is not mold-able into something for the community."

Tyler answered critics by noting that Muncie is not the only city dealing with opioid addiction and that an educated workforce "is what this bond is all about."

"Muncie Community Schools and Ivy Tech can't do it," Tyler said about the proposal. "The city has to do it."

After city council member Nora Powell said she had "struggled" with her decision, Gregory said, "I haven't struggled with this," adding that even though TIF and EDIT were backstops before traditional property taxes kick in, "TIF and EDIT are still tax dollars."

Ridenour and Gregory questioned Donati about financial details but, ultimately, were the only two council members casting votes against the project. Other council members said they were confident of the project's results.

"I see good things happening in that building," council president Doug Marshall said.

Keith Roysdon is the government watchdog reporter for The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5828 and kroysdon@muncie.gannett.com.